Automatic hitching-strap weight.



No. 773,645. PATENTED NOV. 1, 1904.

E. M. JOLL. 7 AUTOMATIC HITGHING STRAP WEIGHT.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 6, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

UNTTED STATES Patented November 1, 1904.

EDWARD M. JOLL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

AUTOMATIC HlTCHlNG-STRAP WEIGHT.

SIPECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 773,645, dated November 1, 1904. Application filed July 6, 1903. Serial No. 164,463. (No model.)

To (all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD M. J OLL, a citi- Zen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Automatic Hitching-Strap IVeight, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to hitching-weights for tethering horses and other animals.

The object of the invention is to provide a device which is simple and efficient, convenient to manufacture, durable in construction, convenient to handle, and pleasing in appearance.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device in which the strap is eiiiciently, normally, and automatically drawn within the body of the weight.

A further object is to provide a device of the above character in which the operating mechanism is entirely inclosed and protected.

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists, substantially, in the construction, combination, location, and arrangement of parts, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, as shown in the accompanyingcdrawings, and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, and to the various views and reference-signs appearing thereon, Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a device embodying the principles of my invention. Fig. 2 is a view in vertical section on the line 2 2, Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows, showing a form of mechanism employed in carrying out the principles of my invention. Fig. 3 is a view in vertical section on the line 3 3, Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

The same part is designated by the same reference-sign wherever it occurs throughout the several views.

In the construction of horse-weights it is desirable to have the strap normally maintained within the body of the weight. By

this means the weight can be stowed away in a small space or convenlently packed for transportation when not in use. It is further desirable to have the strap normally springdrawn into the Weight in order to permit the horse freedom of movement and yet avoid a long strap, which would drag in the dirt and become entangled in his feet. The constant spring tension has also an influence to pre vent the horse becoming restive or starting to run away. At the same time it is essential that the mechanism should not be complicated and liable to get out of order. It is further essential that it be thoroughly protected against the mud and dirt, as well as from injury by the feet of the horse, and it is also an important feature that the mechanism be easily accessible when it is desired to clean or repair the same.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, reference-sign A designates a horse-weight comprising two separable sections A A A A designate recesses formed in the fiat faces of the sections A A of the weight. These recesses are preferably annular in shape, but may be formed in any desired manner. Each recess may have an outwardly-extending channel A A, which register to form an opening for the strap when the device is assembled.

A designates a core or boss which is preferably formed integral with the section A. This core or boss may project into a corresponding opening in the section A as shown in Fig. 3.

B designates a screw engaging the boss A for securing the sections of the weight together.

A designates a projection on the section A, which cooperates with acorresponding recess on the section A A. designates a recess on A, which cooperates with aprojection on A A designatesa suitable handle pivoted at the top of the weight.

C designates a drum, which may be formed of sheet metal. This drum is shown as comprising a web portion C and a peripheral portion C the web portion having projecting lugs C C C .D designates a coil-spring mounted within the drum (1.

E and F are rivets, screws, or fastening devices by which the respective ends of the coilspring are secured to the drum and to the central core or boss A (a? designates the hitching-strap, secured to the drum by rivets or fastening devices H. The dotted lines at G and I, Fig. 2, show the position of the strap and limiting-stop withdrawn. At a suitable point upon the hitching-strap is shown a block I secured thereto, and this block is adapted to limit the withdrawal of the strap by contacting with the edges of the opening through which the strap is withdrawn.

K shows the usual snap-hook.

The operation of the device will be clear from the preceding description. The drum is assembled within the recess in the weight in such a way that it is guided and supported therein. As shown in the drawings, the web (3 encircles the core portion A to hold the drum centrally loaded, and the edge of the periphery, together with the projecting lugs G cooperate with the walls A N of the recess to maintain the drum in a lixed plane.

If desired, a gasket J, of rubber or other material, may be placed between'the sections A A in order to make the device entirely water-tight.

While I have shown and described a preferred form of my invention, it is obvious that many changes and modifications will suggest themselves to persons skilled in the art to which it pertains. I do not therefore desire to be limited to the exact details shown and described; but,

Having now set forth the object and nature of the invention and a construction embodying the principles thereof, what I claim as new and useful and of my own invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A horse-weight, comprising a pair of separable sections, each provided with alug at its u pper side, and corresponding annular recesses in the face of each, a screw for assembling the said sections, a spring-drum arranged to be supported within the cavity, and a handle cooperating with said lugs, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A horse-weight, comprising a pair of separable sections, each having an annular recess, one of said sections provided with an elongated boss or projection, and the other with a corresponding opening or cavity, whereby said projection extends into said cavity, and a springdrum formed to be supported within the cavity and supported by said projectiomas and for the purpose set forth.

3. A horse-weight comprising a pair of separable sections arranged to be placed together face to face and shaped to form a cavity or chamber therebetween, one of said sections having a projection or boss formed integrally therewith, and the other section having a seat or recess to receive the end of said projection or boss, a spring-drum mounted upon said boss within said cavity or recess, and a hitching-strap coiled upon and having one end secured to said drum, the other end passing out of said cavity or chamber, as and for the pur pose set forth.

f. A horseweight comprising a pair of heavy separable sections, means for securing said sections together face to face, said sections having corresponding annular recesses to form a central internal cavity or chamber therebetween, a core or boss formed integrally with one of said sections and project ing centrally through said chamber or cavity, the other of said sections having a seat or recess to receive the end of said boss or projection, a hitching-strap, and a spring-drum arranged within said cavity and guided by the walls thereof, said drum being mounted upon and centered by said boss, as and for the purpose set forth.

5. A horse-weight comprising a pair of separable sections, each having a corresponding face, means for registering said faces in assembled relation, each section provided with an annular recess in the face thereof, said recesses forming a chamber when said sections are assembled, a boss formed integrally with one of said sections, and a seat formed in the other of said sections to receive said boss, means passing through said last-mentioned section and engaging said boss to secure said sections together, a spring-drum mounted upon said boss, and a hitching-strap coiled upon said drum, as and for the purpose set forth.

6. A horse-weight comprising a pair of separable sections, each having a recess formed in the face thereof and forming a chamber between said sections when the latter are brought face to face, lugs formed in the face of each of said sections and corresponding seats in the opposed faces of said sections to form means for registering said sections, an integral boss formed on one of said sections and projecting centrally through said chamber, the other of said sections having a seat or recess to receive the end of said boss, and a drum having a cylindrical periphery mounted upon said boss, said drum being spring-actuated, and a hitching-strap coiled upon said drum, as and for the purpose set forth.

7. A horse-weight com prising a pair of separable sections, each having an annular recess formed in the face thereof, said recesses combining to form an annular chamber when said sections are assembled, a boss formed integrally with one of said sections and projecting centrally across said chamber, the other of said sections havingaseat 0r recess to receive In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my the end of said boss, means for securing said hand, this 30th day of June, 1903, in the pres- IO sections togetheli, a drum 1having adsupportence of the subscribing Witnesses.

ing-Web Inountec upon saic boss, an a cy in- 5 drical periphery, a coiled spring connected re- EDWARD JOLL' I spectively to said boss and drum, and a hitch- Witnesses: ing-strap coiled upon said drum, as and for E. C. SEMPLE, the purpose set forth. S. E. DARBY. 

